Lawrence Shankland has revealed he cut short a holiday in Spain to help Scotland shock them in their Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Hearts striker had been omitted from Steve Clarke’s original squad for the Cyprus game but got a recall after Che Adams’ injury in that match. Shankland took the call on Saturday night to answer his country’s SOS and made a frantic dash back first thing on Sunday morning to join up with the national squad.
The free-scoring striker came off the bench to help Scotland see out their famous 2-0 win over La Roja at Hampden – which leaves them proudly top of qualifying Group A with a 100 per cent record. Jambos ace Shankland told Record Sport: “It was on Saturday night when I took the call. I was in Spain on holiday. I got the call about 9pm and I had to fly back at 7.50am the next morning. I had to get back for training at midday on Sunday.
"In fairness, it is Scotland and I would do anything to play for my country. Just to get another cap and to get on for the final minutes was absolutely amazing. Even if I hadn’t got on, just to have been part of the squad for such a big win would have been amazing. It is something that will live with me forever.”
The 21-goal Hearts striker was sent on to replace Lyndon Dykes and came close to a dream goal in stoppage time when his shot was saved. Shankland said: “My cousin sent me my chance after the game. I watched it back about 10 times hoping that it would eventually go in but it never did.
“Callum McGregor did brilliantly on the counter-attack and put a ball through. I got my shot away but it took a deflection.
“On any other night it might have sneaked under the keeper but he made a save and it wasn’t to be. The win was the most important thing.”
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